Last night I sat down to plough through Heft by Liz Moore. This book ended up being nothing like what I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s the story of Arthur Opp, a former college professor who is now morbidly obese and doesn’t leave the house, and teenager Kel Keller who struggles to fit in and tries to help his tragic mother. This story pulls at the heart-strings. I didn’t cry but I think I let out a few “Oh No”s while reading!

My cooking victory of the weekend was making a flank steak – it was great on salads. If you’re looking for a quick marinade, I’d recommend olive oil, Bragg’s liquid aminos, balsamic vinegar, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning.

Saturday night we gave a nigh-time candle-lit hike a try…dogs in tow. Wisconsin State Parks have these night hike/ski events that, when the weather is not freezing, are a great idea. A little bit crowded, but fun. Tucker extinguished a few candles along the way, and people on the trail thought Kostas looked like a polar bear in the dark. Next time we do this, I’m wearing my headlamp. I can’t believe I forgot it! Being in the woods at night, in the dark had a bit of a Hunger Games feel to it!

The Other Life by Ellen Meister is the story of happily married Quinn. She has a young son and is pregnant with another child. Her life is quickly turned upside down when she finds out that the baby she is carrying has a serious medical issue. The book has The Time Travelers Wife feel to it. Switching between realities. Quinn has the ability to squeeze through space (it starts with a crack in her basement wall) and switch lives. She enters the abyss and is then back with her former boyfriend – she’s not pregnant, she’s unmarried, and her mother is still alive.

It was a very gripping story and is an interesting look at What would you do? Stay or go?

I’m really behind the times here but I am finally reading The Hunger Games trilogy. My niece and I saw the movie when it came out and I was in the dark – I hadn’t read the books and didn’t know much about the story line. The movie was stressful! I knew what I was getting into as I started to read The Hunger Games by Susan Collins. The book was even better than the movie and I felt like my pulse kept going up and up as I continued to read. I’m well into Catching Fire and may try to finish the trilogy this week. I don’t know if I can take that much stress condensed into two more books!

Random running tip for the day – if you are running in the dark, get a headlamp. I rarely run outside in the evening but it was about 55 degrees last night after work and I had to take advantage of the warm air. I put on my trusty headlamp and hit the path. If bikers can sport flashing lights, so can runners. At one point waiting at a crosswalk, a guy told me I looked like a light house (the lamp was on ‘flash’). I told him I felt like I was on The Amazing Race.

And finally, I was wide awake at 3am. Kostas sleeps like he’s a person – he’s supposed to stay on the brown dog blanket. His stinky paws were in my face.

Do you have a headlamp? What do you use it for? Are you a Hunger Games fan?

Are you on Goodreads? I am – let’s connect. My mom joined on Saturday – my niece was explaining the App to her and I summed it up by saying it’s like Facebook for really smart people.